Wings 3D

[Fantozzi 4,064]

Don't know if there is any need for this information ...

 

... but accidentelly I discovered that the free 3d modelling software Wings 3D is able to export 3ds files that can be read by gmax. So far my experience with this is very thin but on the simple models I exported so far, uv mapping, material library etc. was fine

[SecretMbr_735754 2,157]

So far, it looks very versatile and compatible, and most importantly for a beginner especially, the documentation is straightforward, easy to read and understand if you have a general familiarity with the terms.   Back to this later.

  Edited November 1, 2016 by RandyE  
Additional Comments

[airman15 4,111]

This information might be useful! I have not heard of this program before but I will give it a chance once I find the time to download it!

[Thin White Duke 4,072]

Think about it, @airman15. Wings3D. Wings. It was made for you.

[CorinaMarie 29,566]

Cool. I downloaded it just in case I want to try it sometime.

[huzman 445]

Sounds like a promising gift. It answers partially a search for an alternate solution to Gmax.

Thanks Fantozzi!

[Fantozzi 4,064]

Another thing - did you know that kmz-files (Google Earth format) you can download from 3dwarheouse are compressed collada files? You simply have to change the file extension 'kmz' into 'zip' and than you can extract the zip and you get a folder and in there is a collada file (dae).

Sadly wings3d is very bad at reading collada format. So if someone knows a converter from collada to 3ds, please let me know.

[tigerbuilder 131]

Very cool.

I found a kmz model and followed your tip about changing to .zip and extracting it.

I just successfully imported a model into Blender (2.78)...it worked just fine, and it will export .3ds format, I use it to work on automata for SC4. 

Cheers, Tiger